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Notable: Key matchup in the race for the AAC West title. The No. 16 Cougars and No. 22 Navy own a one-game lead over No. 25 Memphis. Running back Kenneth Farrow needs 143 yards for a second consecutive 1,000-yard season. Cornerback William Jackson III (knee) is expected to be a game-time decision. Memphis has been held below 30 points just twice this season; the UH defense is allowing just 18.7 points and has forced a nation-best 25 turnovers.

"He's a creature," Herman said. "There is really no knock on him. He's a fantastic quarterback. He will play on Sundays."

Lynch, who was born in San Antonio, has been in the cockpit for two of the best seasons in school history. He led the Tigers to 10 wins and the school's first conference title in 43 years. This season he guided Memphis to an 8-0 start and as high as No. 13 in the first College Football Playoff rankings before last week's 45-20 home loss to Navy.

Lynch is sixth in Football Bowl Subdivision in total offense (356.2), eighth in passing yards (3,014) and ninth in completion percentage (69.1).

Playing at elite level

Memphis, which trails UH and Navy by a game in the AAC West, is one of the most prolific offenses in the nation, averaging 44.8 points and 546.7 yards per game.

"He's not scared to put his head down and get dirty," outside linebacker Steven Taylor said of Lynch. "I respect that."

Taylor said the Cougars do not expect to see "anything really surprising" after facing Lynch the past two seasons. As a redshirt freshman in 2013, Lynch did not throw a touchdown pass in a 25-15 loss to UH. Last season, Lynch threw three interceptions in a 28-24 loss.

"He's such an improved player from what he was last year," Herman said. "He was a good player last year, but he's in that elite category now."

Lynch represents the latest challenge for the UH defense. In last weekend's 33-30 victory over Cincinnati, the Cougars allowed 523 passing yards and four touchdowns to Gunner Kiel.

"It's out of the frying pan and into the fire (for the defense)," Herman said. "I don't know of a two-week stretch in the country where you're going to face two quarterbacks with that much talent."

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There are differences in the styles of offenses. Cincinnati is more of a drop-back team that likes to "throw over and over and over," Herman said. In contrast, Memphis runs a similar style offense to UH. The Tigers will sometimes use two tight ends and employ the play-action pass.

"We just have to find a way to win," UH defensive tackle B.J. Singleton said. "It doesn't matter if it looks good or not.

The Cougars had success against Kiel when they were able to apply pressure, sacking him three times, including once for a safety, and returning an interception for a touchdown.

Lynch doesn't make many mistakes, with only two interceptions in 327 passes this season. But the UH defense has forced a nation-best 25 turnovers.

"It's almost like a drug," Singleton said. "It feels so good when you get one … you have to get more and more and more."